HMA Mission
The mission of the HMA is to promote the wonderful world of hobbies to parents and children across the globe. More than ever, it is important that we raise awareness of our innovative and creative products that enrich the lives of hobby enthusiasts. Families are looking for different ways to reconnect and spend quality time away from the digital world. We want you to know that these great products exist and can inspire families with opportunities to be creative together. Visit your local hobby shop and visit the myhobbyfun.org website to see how you can get started finding a great hobby! Don’t forget January is National Hobby Month! What’s your Hobby?
Bill Jeric President HMA
Radio Control: Bill Jeric Motion RC
The global sport of Radio-Control Modeling (R/C) allows people of all ages to enjoy the thrills of piloting or driving their own miniature vehicle remotely from the fixed-location on the ground. Flying a military warbird or jet model, driving a scale model race car at speeds over 70MPH, tackling a tough trail with a scale-model truck or purpose-built rock crawler,
piloting a high-speed racing boat on a mirror-smooth lake, relaxing with a six-foot tall model sailboat, or controlling a completely scale, two-foot long museum-quality miniature 18-wheeler with functions like miniature working lights and sounds are all possible within hours (or sometimes minutes!) of opening the package thanks to advances in engineering,
manufacturing and battery technology. To place such advances in technologies and their attendant cost reductions in some perspective; it is now possible to obtain features and performance in a product today for under $50 that would have cost several hundred just 10 years ago. Drones are considered to be in the R/C category and have become the most
popular and mainstream R/C activity of all time. Thanks to many of the same aforementioned advances in technology in addition to more from the technology and satellite industries it is currently possible to fly a camera drone that transmits a video feed to an FPV (first-person video) headset worn by the pilot, seated or standing in a fixed location while the model
is hundreds of yards away. Imagine a realistic VR video game, only there are consequences past hitting the reset button on the handset or keyboard when a mistake or crash occurs.
Model Railroading: Tim Blackwell Cow Catcher Magazine
Perhaps there is no other hobby that touches on skills that are needed in everyday life. From social interaction to carpentry, model railroading offers a well-rounded experience that lasts a lifetime. Whether crafting scenes by scratch or applying manufactured kits and models, men and women and boys and girls of all ages get the thrill of seeing the imagination come to life. The hobby embraces beginner, intermediate and advanced levels with plenty of opportunities to advance. At any level, modelers can learn the fundamentals of light construction, like working with wood to build a
layout and 12-volt electrical to power trains, light buildings and activate working signals. Along the way they learn to follow instructions and complete a project from start to finish, all while using their hands and talents. Advanced modelers typically have to apply deductive reasoning to solve complex or minor issues, use mathematical skills to construct track plans and figure timetables and logistics for train movements. Model railroading also has a social community that includes a vast network of modelers who are a wealth of information about modeling and prototypical
information. Model railroading is for all ages and all walks of life and brings pure enjoyment, whether from the satisfaction of replicating an actual scene or structure that reminds of a specific time or place or just watching a toy train circle the Christmas tree. Like any hobby, participants get out of it what they put in. Either way, it’s an immersive hobby that brings countless hours of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Plastic Model Building: Rick Delfavero Atlantis Toy and Hobby
Every child began playing with Toy Blocks of some sort. Then, as they grow, some will advance to Legos. The next natural step for these ‘junior engineers’ would be Scale Model Building. Building a plastic model kit is really a technical exercise, following a detailed set of instructions, step by step, to complete a project, but it can also be an art form. Your finished project can be a perfect chance to showcase your creative abilities. There are many different skill levels to accommodate beginners to experts. You can start with Snap-Together or go straight to one that requires glue for
assembly. Paint is not always needed but can really take your model to the next level. A little bit of paint detailing really helps to put your own personal touch on your model. This is a great time to be a model builder because there is such a variety of kits on the market to cover every possible interest. Choose your favorite hot rod, jet fighter or ship, or the latest movie space ship or Japanese Gundam and build it any way you like. While building your model it is also a chance to dive into the history behind the subject you are modeling. This is one place where technology can assist
you. Simple searches on the web can bring you all the historical information on your subject along with endless images of your project to help you capture it more accurately. Historical dioramas are another form of scale modeling to capture entire scenes like military battles, or even hot rods at the drive-in. The sense of accomplishment you get when displaying your finished model is so rewarding. Display it with pride, show it off to friends and family, impress them with the knowledge you have of the history or background of your subject, and then on to your next project! Pick a winner, unplug and start building today!
Model Rocketry: Estes Rockets
There’s no thrill quite like launching a model rocket, watching it streak skyward, reach peak altitude, and then return gently to earth. When you build the rocket, the thrill is even better. Model rocketry offers a hands-on experience to develop a multitude of skills, test scientific theories and have fun with friends and fellow Rocketeers. During a time when technology seems to consume more of our life, this original STEM activity provides girls and boys of all ages to imagine, create and feel the excitement of flying a real model rocket! Rocketry can be exhilarating to the modeler looking to build high-performance starships while also building an avenue of exploration for the young budding scientist. Kids and adults of all skill levels can make real connections between theory and hands-on applications as they test the boundaries of their rockets using a variety of rocket engines and recovery methods. As we witness the increased interest in space and interplanetary travel, we invite and welcome all those with the curiosity towards space exploration to build, launch and learn via the many sport, scale, and multi-stage model rockets available today. Are you ready to launch?